School Buses 101: Tips for students, parents

The 27J Transportation Department is reaching out to its families in a new way this year. Students will receive post cards in the mail to let them know where their bus stop is and an approximate time the bus will be at the stop.

If a student doesn’t receive a post card in the mail by Aug. 4, parents or the student should call the Transportation Department, 303-655-2991. The staff will be able to provide the needed information.

Students and families are asked to keep in mind that the first few weeks of school the route times will vary as full ridership becomes consistent. School starts later in August for preschool and kindergarten students and some parents like to take their students to school the first couple of weeks.

Students who are registered for school after the first day of class should allow 72 hours for bussing to be set up. “We want all students to be as safe as possible,” said Sandy Martinez, transportation router. “To do that, we need to make sure we have all the correct information and provide that to the driver.”

Elementary School students and families can meet their driver and receive their route information at the back-to-school night.

Walking distances for 27J students follow. Students who live beyond these distances from school will be able to ride the bus.

K-5: 1 mile
6-8: 1.5 miles
9-12: 2 miles

School-day reminders:
Parents are asked to make sure all students are at the designated bus stop five minutes before pick-up time as the buses will not be able to wait. The school buses have very tight schedules to keep. “Just one late student can affect the time for the entire route,” Martinez said. “Our reliable, door-to-door service is extremely important for safety of all students.”

Preschool and kindergarten parents, please remember you or your designee must be at the bus stop to receive your student from the bus. Your designee must be on our information sheet. If no one is there to receive the student, the bus driver will take him or her back to the school for safety reasons.

If you have any questions regarding transportation, feel free to call 303-655-2991. The Transportation Department looks forward to a great school year and even greater students.